A circular has emerged from the immediate past Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, stating that only academic qualifications will now be required for entry into Nigeria’s civil and public service. This circular, which marks a significant policy shift, aims to streamline the recruitment process by focusing on formal education credentials. The move is seen as part of broader efforts to standardize entry requirements and potentially reduce barriers that may have previously existed for candidates seeking positions in public administration.
The Nigerian government has announced that professional or license certifications will no longer be mandatory for entry into the civil and public service. This decision follows growing pressure from professional bodies that had been insisting on such certifications as a prerequisite for employment.
Earlier this month, Professor Idris M. Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), criticized certain professional organizations for overstepping their authority. Bugaje warned that these bodies risk facing serious consequences if they continue to disregard existing agreements, particularly regarding the mobilization of graduates for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
He noted that some professional bodies had even blocked graduates from participating in NYSC programs. However, this issue has since been resolved, and the NYSC has ceased cooperating with what he described as “illegal” actions.
The decision to remove professional certifications as a requirement was formalized during a meeting of the National Council on Establishment held in Lagos. According to a circular dated April 12, 2021, and signed by the Head of Service, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, the council ruled that only academic qualifications will now serve as valid entry qualifications into any cadre of the civil and public service.
The circular stated: “The National Council on Establishment resolved that professional certificates shall no longer serve as entry qualifications into any cadre in the Civil/Public Service. Only academic qualifications such as Junior and Senior Secondary School Certificates, NECO, GCE, ND, NCE, HND, University degrees, and postgraduate degrees shall apply.”
This move is expected to streamline the recruitment process while ensuring that academic qualifications remain the primary criteria for entry into public service roles.
